In the CBA circle, everyone knows that Zhao Rui has become very different since moving from Guangdong to Xinjiang. This time, his direct collision with a referee during a game has shown everyone how a top-paid player can ruin his career.
The match between Xinjiang and Shandong was going smoothly until something happened in the first quarter. After Zhao Rui scored a fast-break layup, he insisted that Yu Dehao had fouled him, but the referee ignored him. He started complaining by waving his hands, which led to a technical foul being called on him.
After receiving the technical foul, Zhao Rui seemed to lose control and rushed to collide with the referee, knocking them back quite a distance. If it weren't for Liu Wei's quick response in stopping him, the situation would have escalated further.
The fans at the scene were stunned; such an incident is rare in the CBA. While player fights are common, who dares to collide with a referee? That's just asking for trouble.
Zhao Rui continued to point and swear at the referee as he was being ejected from the game. As a result, the CBA officially suspended him for five games and fined him 100,000 yuan. This punishment is not too harsh.
Liu Wei also suffered due to this incident. As the head coach of Xinjiang, he was fined 20,000 yuan because the team's players have repeatedly violated rules this season. He has tried his best to control the situation.
When Zhao Rui was with Guangdong, although he had a temper, he could still control it. Now, with a top salary in Xinjiang, he seems to be behaving worse.
He either gets injured or loses his temper every time he plays, as if he has forgotten that he is a professional player. Considering this incident, isn't it just a matter of a ball call? Is it necessary to get so angry?
Xinjiang pays him such a high salary, yet this is how he repays the team. Such behavior is truly incomprehensible, especially for a 28-year-old veteran player who should know better.
The problem now is that Zhao Rui's behavior not only affects himself but also the entire team's atmosphere. Xinjiang's performance this season has already been poor, and now they have lost their starting guard.
In a professional league, no matter how dissatisfied you are with the referee's decision, physical action is absolutely unacceptable. It is a line that should never be crossed.
Zhao Rui's actions have gone beyond normal boundaries. Even if he felt unfairly treated, he should not have expressed it in such a way.
Some say that Zhao Rui was overwhelmed by his high salary, but this argument does not hold water. High-paid players should act accordingly.
After this incident, Zhao Rui's situation in Xinjiang will likely become even more awkward. No team wants to keep a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment.
In fact, the current punishment in the CBA is still too lenient. In the NBA, such direct collisions with referees might result in a season-long suspension.
The league needs to establish a more comprehensive disciplinary system to prevent players from feeling that the cost of violating rules is too low, which is detrimental to the development of the entire league.
The issue now is that many players believe they are the core of the team and can do as they please. This mentality must change.
Team management must also take responsibility, not just focusing on players' technical skills but also their professionalism and personal character.